Slide trombone



APlll 12 1927' F, A. BUr-:scHER SLIDE TROMBONE Filed Jan. 21. 1925 2vSheeS-Shei, l

llllllllll 'IIIA'. llawfl April 12 1921'.D

F. sa BUESCHER SLIDE TROMBONE Filed Jan. 2l, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SHO:mm3

Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

FERDINAND A. BUESCHER, OF ELKHART, INDIANA.

`SLIDE TROMBONE.

Application filed January This invention relates to improvements inslide trombones and has for one of its objects the improvement in thebalance of the slide whereby a freer movement and better showingycertain features o action of the instrument is secured.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for thesubstantial immunization of the .slide from inoperativeness due todenting of the outer tubes.

A further object of the invention relates to improved means for tuningthe slide and 'means for lubricating the bearings between the tube andpistons. .tlier objects of the invention will become apparent as thedescription of the following illustrative embodiment thereof proceeds. i

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a slide trombone, thoseparts shown in full lines being subject to the application of thepresent invention, l v

yFigure 2 is ar longitudinal section through the trombone, parts beino'broken away,

f: the invention.

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-43 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal View, part-ly in elevation and partly insection, parts being broken away showing a modification of theinvention.

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is va longitudinal view partly in section` showing the.ibearings fixed in the outer tubes without the tuning adjustment.

Referring now indetail tothe `several figures, the numerals 1 and 2represent the l outer tubes of the slide, joined at their outer of thetrombone.

ends by the U-shaped tube 3, the latter being provided with the watervalve 4. The tubes 1 and 2 are connected adjacent their inner ends bythe braces 5k and 6, the unitary structule so far described constitutingthe slide Said slide operates 'upon the pistons 7 and 8, the lattertelescoping within the tubes 1 and 2 and forming with said tubes an airpipe of variable length. It is essential that a substantiallyfluid-tight seal be maintained between the pistons and tubes throughoutthe range of movementy of the slide and this is usually .accomplished byenlarging the diameter of the pistons for ak considerable distanceadjacent their inner ends the surfaces of said enlarged portions 21,1925. Serial No. 3,820.

co-'acting with the inner walls of the tubes and constituting bearingswhich by reason of their length effect the sealing of the jointbetweensaid pistons and tubes. The pistons, except at their bearingsurfaces are of less diameter than the tubes in which they reciprocate,a slight annular clearance space existing between them. y

The walls of the tubes 1 and 2 are made quite thin so .as to contributeto the light-y trombone inoperative, for the bearing cannot pass thedented portion and the slide sticks. Or ifk the damage be so minute asto permit forcin `of the bearing past the dented portion, t e sealbecomes broken and the tone of the instrument impaired.

By the present invention I remove entirely this drawback by omittingaltogether Athe enlarged bearing surfaces or stockings at the ends ofthe pistons, leaving the pistons of uniform diameter throughout theirventire lengths and maintaining between lthem and the tubes within whichthey telescope a uni form clearance space. Ordinary denting of the outertubes will therefore have no effect upon the action of the instrumentsince kthe displaced ymetal is accommodated .within said clearancespace. An extraordinary denting which may cause the metal of the `tubesto press against the pistons merely produces an added friction in theoperation of the slide but has no effect upon the seal betweenthepistons and tubes, therefore the qualityof the tone of the instrumentremains unimpaired. d In lieu of the enlarged bearing surfaces at theends of the pistons the present inventiony provides similar surfaces inthe form of constrictions in theinternal diameter of the tubes 1 and 2,saidfconstrictions preferably takiug the form of sleeves 9 and 1l) whichare inserted within the inner ends of the tubes 1 and 2 and occupy theclearance space, bearing against y the outer surfaces of the pistons.Said sleeves usually make a ytight friction fit within the tubes asshown in Figure 6,y but when a tuning adjustment is provided forlengthening 'the air pipe, the sleeves may be slidable relatively bothto the outer tubes and pistons. Not only does the -disposition of thebearings at the ends of the tubes minimize the chance of the instrumentbecoming inoperative through denting of the'slide but italso improvesthe balance of the slide, placing the bearings directly above the pointof'sup'po'rt of the slide so that given angular movement of the hands ofthe player with respect to the axis ofthe pistons has less bindingeifect upon the relatively reciprocating parts than in cases Where thebearings are remote from the point ofx support. Thus a freer movementandra better actionof the tromboneu is sec'ured and the balance et"` theslide isiinproved by massing the metal above the point of support. y Y

Trombones'iof the usual type are lubri# cated prior toy playing theinstrument by withdrawing the pistonsfand applying a few dropsofflnbiicating oil'to the stockings.

The transposition of the sleeve., bearings orI stockings from the outer`ends of the pistons A'to the innerl ends of the slide as done inv ithevpresent invention lends itself to the improvement of the lubricationfacilities. InI Figure 4I haieshoivnone ofthe lbraces 11i ,constitutedas anoil reservoir iviththe filling'A 'hole' 12, the chamber ivithinsaid brace Communicating with the bearing" snrfaces between thestockings and pistons by means of aperturesfor'med inthe shelli13 whichsuiroundsthe stockingY or bearing, which apertures in turn communicateWith annulary grooves 14 foiined on the outer facesl of the stockingsand leading byl means ofthe apertures l'formed infthe stockings tpsaidfbearingl surfaces. f Constantlubrications'y isl thus provided atall times, and particularly While playing, the effect of Xvliichis not,only to retard the Wear of the parts but 'tol improvey the A seal'between the pistons 'and tubes.

In Figures 1, 2 and'B I have shown an alternative construction in' Whichthe brace 11 isx` left intact as in ordinary'y trombone construction,but ythe stockings are provided wyitlilthe annular grooves 1stcomn'iunicating by means of apertures 15 with the bearing surfaces, saidannular channels being separately supplied by means of oil cups: 16 and17. t

It sometimes happens, from one cause or another that the' pitch of theinstrument' varies with that of other instruments. Played in connection,for instance, with a piano thev pitch cannot be changed by the playerujhilevplaying. At such times it is advantageous'to have at handsomemeans for `vary'- ing` the length of the, air pipe so' that `thepilopseiypit'ch may be produced when the instrumentuis:beingplayed. yThe provision of the'bearingsleeves-9 and 10 at the inner ends off theouter tubes'iyleiidn themlselv'esf advantogeouslyutoj theV provision ofsuch tuning nie'a"1 is,`forA if sufchbearings' areA made 'slidableWithin the outer t'ubsias shown in Figures v2 and 4f they become, ineffect extensible sections of said' outer tubes. Any desired means maybe employed for adjustably ex tending said bearings, one of said meansbeing shown in Figure L1- and consistingr of a threaded rod 17a fixedrelatively to said bearing and passing through an apertured knob 1 8iixed relatively to one of the outer tubes. Knurle'd nuts'19 and 20 arethreaded upon said rod at opposite sides of the knob 18. By looseningone of said nuts the 'other' may be rotated upon the threaded rod and bvits abutment against the knob 18 causes either the extension orrecession, as the 'ase may be, of the bearings 9 and 10.y IjVhen theproper position of adjustment has'been reached theV nuts may betightened against theiknob 18'preventin`g inadvertent altera# tion inthe adjustinentl Another form of tuning means is shown in Figure 2 inwhich a'right and left hand threadedstem 21 operates in sockets 22l and23 Which are fixed to bracesfll and 2st secured respectively to thesleev`es9 and 10 and outer tubes 1 and 2. Ak knuiled= collar 25 on"saidv stein' permits the latter to be turned, causing the braces 11 and24 to'appreach or recede thereby moving the sleeves 9 and 10 in or outwith respect tothe" tubes.

lVhile I have herein shown and described what I believe to be practicaland preferred embodiments of my invention, it is tofbe understood thatvarious alterations and changes may be made inthe arrangement or shapeof the various Without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desii'e to'securebyv Letters Patent, is 4 1. In a trombone, a slide comprisingtnbes,pistons telescopi'ng Within said tubes", bearingsy for said pistonscarried only at the inner ends of said tubes, said' bearings beingslid-able with respect to saidttubes andform'- ing extensible sectionsthereof for varying the ylength of the air pipe constituted by saidtubes. y

2. In a trombone, a slide comprising tubes, pistons of the same uniformcross section diameter throughout telescoping Within' said tubes, theselatter having frictionally cured to the inner faces thereof, at theirinner terminal portions. lengthwise extending sleeves constitutingbearings for the pis- [onsand Huid tight seals between the pistons andtubes.

31 In a'tronibon-e, a slide comprising tubes, pistons `of the saineuniform cross' section diameter throughout telescopingivitliin saidtubes", these latter having frictionally secured to the inner facesthereof, at their inner terminal portions, lengthwise extending sleevesconstitntingvbearings for the pistons and Huid tight seals' betvteen`the' pis! tons and tubes, and means for adjusting said sleeves relativeto the tubes and pistons for chan ing the pitch of the instrument.

4. In a trombone, a slide comprising tubes, pistons of the same uniformcross section diameter throughout telescoping Within said tubes, theselatter having frictionally securedy to the inner faces thereof, at theirinner terminal portions, lengthwise extending sleeves constitutingbearings for the pistons and fluid tight seals between the pistons andtubes, and means carried by the slide for adjusting said sleevesrelative to the tubes and pistons for changing the pitch of theinstrument.

5. In a trombone, a slide comprising tubes, pistons of the same uniformcross section diameter throughout telescoping within said tubes, theselatter' having frictionally secured to the inner faces thereof, at theirinner terminal portions, lengthwise extending sleeves constitutingbea-rings for the pistons and fluid tight seals betweenthe pistons andtubes, and said sleeves extended from the inner ends of the tubes toincrease the length of the slide.

6. In a trombone, a slide comprising tubes, pistons of the same uniformcross section diameter throughout telescoping within said tubes, theselatter having frictionally secured to the inner faces thereof, at theirinner terminal portions, lengthwise extending sleeves constitutingbearings for the pistous and iuid tight seals between the pistons andtubes, said sleeves extended from the inner ends of the tubes toincrease the length of the slide, and means carried by the outer ends ofthe sleeves and connected with the slide for adjusting the sleevesrelative to the tubes and pistons for vvarying the pitch of theinstrument.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

' FERDINAND A. BUESCHER.

